Playground equipment



March 22, 1960 E. A. SCAN LON 2,929,627

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Filed May 13, 1958 q E 31 i X 32.

INVENTOR. (57/2016 e/i fl. Scan/021 G-Jms m\ ijnite States This invention relates generally to playground equipment, and has particular reference to a novel climbing apparatus that can be used for 'a variety of activities by both small and large children.

Briefly stated, the apparatus of the invention comprises a novel arrangement of inter-connected ladders and bars which lend themselves to such activities as climbing, hanging, travelling, chinning, and so forth. These ladders and bars, moreover, are constructed and arranged in such a manner that parts of the apparatus are adapted for use by small children while other parts are adapted for use by larger children. Thus, children atent ranging in age from 6 to 15 can safely use the apparatus which can accommodate as many as 12 active children at one time.

The primary object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a single piece of playground equipment which is suiiiciently versatile so that it can be enjoyed by children of a relatively wide age group for a number of dift'erent activities.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which is strong and durable and yet is of relatively simple construction.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which can be used indoors as well as out.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein the parts comprising the apparatus are located at diiferent heights above the ground so that children of different sizes can convenientiy and safely use same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a representative embodiment of the invention for the purpose of disclosure.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus embodying the invention; and

Figure 2 is a front side elevation of the apparatus.

Having reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate the same part in each of the views, the apparatus is essentially comprised of a pair of horizontally disposed, spaced ladders 10 and 11 which are rigidly connected together by additional components to be presently described. Ladders 10, 11 are supported in an elevated position at different heights above the ground or fioor by means of vertically disposed end ladders, the ladder 10 being secured at each end to a vertical ladder 13 and ladder 11 being secured at each end to a vertical ladder 14. As shown in Figure 2, the ladders 1 are considerably longer than ladders 13 whereby ladder 11 is located at a greater height than ladder 10.

Iorizontal ladders Ii), 11 are preferably arranged in substantially parallel relation, and are connected adjacent their rear ends by a transverse ladder 16 which extends obliquely therebetween. In addition, thehorizontal ladders are connected by a plurality of obliquely disposed bars 18 which are arranged in parallel relation to one another and to the ladder 16.

Extending outwardly from one of the vertical ladders 13 is a horizontally disposed bar 20 which is secured at its inner end toa rail of the ladder and supported at its outer end by a vertical bar or pipe 21. Similarly, horizontally disposed bars 23, 24 are secured to the vertical ladders 14 and are supported at their outer ends by the vertical bars 25, 26 respectively. 1 As indicated in Fig ure.2, all of the bars 20, 23 and 24 are located at different heights above the ground.

From the preceding description, it will be apparent that the 'lower ladder 10 is particularly adapted ,for use by small children While the higher ladder 11 is adapted for use by larger children. The children can climb upon these ladders, hang from them or travel by hand from rung to rung. Because the ladder 10 is for smaller children, it is narrower than ladder 11 and its rungs 28 are closer together and smaller in diameter than the rungs 30 of the higher ladder.

The horizontally disposed bars 20, 23 and 24 can be used for such activities as chinning, hanging by the knees and skinning the cat, and the bar 20 is low enough to be within easy reach of a small child while the other two bars are higher. The obliquely disposed bars 18 can be used as parallel bars for gymnastic exercises and for various of the other activities previously mentioned. Similarly, the obliquely disposed ladder 16 can be used for the aforementioned activities, and the child has the added enjoyment of going uphill or downhill as he climbs. The rungs 31 of the ladder 16 are spaced farther apart than the rungs of the ladders 10, 11, and the distance between bars 18 is greater than the spacing between the rungs 31. This makes hand travel on the ladder l6 and from bar to bar on the bars 18 progressively more difficult.

The apparatus is preferably a metal construction and the ladders thereof are usually permanently assembled units. The ladders and bars may be connected together by welding or may be threaded or bolted together to facilitate disassembly and shipment. Bars 29, 23 and 24 and obliquely disposed interconnecting members 16 and 18 make the apparatus very stable and safe for use, although the lower ends of the vertical members can be buried in the ground or set in concrete if desired. The apparatus canalso be used indoors, and for this purpose horizontal plates 32 that can be bolted to corresponding floor plates are secured to thelower ends of the vertical ladders and bars as shown.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the invention provides a very versatile and useful piece of playground equipment which can serve a relatively large number of children of various sizes at the same time. As will be apparent to those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiment disclosed is therefore to be considered'in all respects as illustrative rather than restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a playground apparatus for use by children of difierent age groups, the combination of a pair of elevated, horizontally disposed ladders of substantially equal length, means supporting said horizontal ladders in spaced, substantially side-by-side relation at different heights above the ground, the supporting means for each ladder comprising a pair of vertically disposed ladders connected at their upper ends to the horizontal ladder, said vertical ladders serving as a means for a child to climb up onsaid horizontal ladders, each of said horizontal ladders having a plurality of uniformly spaced rungs, the 'lower ladder being adapted for use by small children and having a relatively large number of rungs and the higher ladder being adapted for use by larger children and having fewer rungs than the lower'ladder, an obliquely disposed ladderextending transversely be tween said horizontal ladders, a plurality of obliquely disposed bar members also extending transversely be: tween said horizontal ladders, and a plurality of HOI'i-r zontally disposed bar members projecting outwardly at different heights from said vertically disposed supporting ladders. 2. A compactplayground unit for use by children of different age groups in a limited play area comprising in combination a pair of elevated horizontally rdisposed ladders, means supporting "said ladders in spaced, substantially side5by-side relation at differentheights above -the ground, the rungs of the lower ladder-being closer together than the rungs of the higher ladder, means'ex ladder supporting 'means.

- References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 135,935 Miller July 6, 1943 1,013,687 Reach Jan. 2, 1912 1,126,082 Reach Jan. 26, 1915 FOREIGN PATENTS H 317,539 France- Jan. 4, 

